A high-level investigation has been launched in Meerut following allegations of custodial violence and third-degree torture made against senior police officials by office-bearers of a local farmer union. The controversy has prompted the Uttar Pradesh administration to order an inquiry led by the Saharanpur DIG, while simultaneously executing a significant administrative reshuffle that includes the transfer of the top police chief to state headquarters.
Allegations of Detainee Abuse and Chamber Assault
The dispute centers around claims made by Digvijay Bhati, national president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BR Ambedkar), and Mohit Jatav, the organization's district president. According to Bhati, the duo visited the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) office in Meerut on 19 August to present their representations regarding the murder case of Dalit female student Lalita Gautam. During the meeting, then SSP Avinash Pandey reportedly became angered by the discussions.
Bhati alleged that he was subsequently taken to a closed chamber talk room within the premises and subjected to physical assault for approximately 1.5 hours. Following the assault inside the chamber, he was transferred to the Special Operations Group (SOG) office. SOG Inspector Akhilesh Gaur was reportedly summoned to take charge of the custody.
At the SOG office, Bhati claimed his legs were bound and he was suspended upside down, after which officers repeatedly struck his feet soles, lower back, and spine using wooden planks and batons. He further stated that Mohit Jatav, who accompanied him, was subjected to similar third-degree custodial methods. Bhati alleged that police personnel forcibly compelled him to sign a blank white paper stating that his injuries resulted from a road accident, while inflicting blows with shoes, fists, and kicks. Visible signs of physical trauma and severe swelling were observed around his eye.
Police Counter-Claim of Road Accident
Police officials and sources from the SSP office have strongly refuted the torture accusations. According to official sources, a verbal altercation did take place inside the office on 19 August, after which the union leaders departed from the premises. Official accounts state that Bhati met with a vehicular accident while en route after leaving the office, which resulted in the facial and body injuries visible on him.
Context of Prior Violence and Lalita Gautam Murder Case
This incident follows earlier unrest in Meerut on 9 July during demonstrations related to the Lalita Gautam murder case. At that time, allegations were raised against then SSP Avinash Pandey for allegedly assaulting advocating protester Ravi inside a police pickup vehicle. The lingering dissatisfaction from the July incident has added weight to the current allegations.
Political Escalation and Demands for Legal Action
The situation gained political momentum after Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav took official cognizance of the incident. On Friday, Digvijay Bhati and Mohit Jatav gathered at the residence of Sardhana MLA Atul Pradhan to address the media and reiterate their grievances.
Addressing reporters alongside MLA Atul Pradhan, the leaders demanded the formal registration of a criminal case against former SSP Avinash Pandey and all associated police personnel implicated in the incident. They urged authorities to ensure a transparent, uninfluenced judicial and administrative probe into the matter.
Saharanpur DIG Assigned Investigation and Administrative Transfers
Following initial reporting by the local DIG to Additional Director General (ADG) Bhanu Bhaskar, state government authorities were formally briefed on the situation. The Uttar Pradesh government subsequently assigned the complete probe to the Saharanpur DIG, with officials maintaining that appropriate legal and administrative steps will follow the submission of the inquiry findings.
Concurrently, the state government issued transfer orders affecting senior police personnel. Avinash Pandey (IPS-RR-2015) was relieved of his duties as Senior Superintendent of Police, Meerut, and reassigned as Superintendent of Police attached to the Director General of Police Headquarters in Lucknow. In his place, B.B.G.T.S. Murthy (IPS-RR-2015), previously serving as SSP Jhansi, has been appointed as the new Senior Superintendent of Police for Meerut.
